Mistletoe (Clairmont Series Book 4) Read online

  Mistletoe

  A Clairmont Novella

  by S. Jane Scheyder

  Published by Andres & Blanton

  Niantic, Connecticut

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2016 by S. Jane Scheyder

  Cover artwork by Jacob Scheyder

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations for use in reviews. For more information, please email [email protected].

  ISBN 978-0-9966721-1-5

  www.andresblanton.com

  Mistletoe

  Liz Michaels is spending the Christmas holiday with her recently engaged daughter. Christopher Harrison is spending the holiday with his recently engaged son. Liz and Christopher have one objective - to get their kids to slow down and re-think their engagement.

  When their week of planning and scheming is derailed by a chance meeting under the mistletoe, runaway romance takes on a whole new meaning ...

  A romantic novella, set on the coast of Maine

  ***

  for Linda, my wonderful friend,

  who helped me understand that some people

  really do drink hot chocolate instead of coffee

  Monday

  The comforting scents of coffee, cinnamon, and fresh-baked something wonderful rode the wave of warm air that enveloped Liz Michaels as she ducked into the coffee shop. Happy to leave the cold, snowy, December night on the other side of the door, she loosened her scarf and breathed in deeply. Kelly was right. The coffee shop really was a little piece of heaven.

  “So, isn’t this great?” Kelly Michaels asked, her eyes dancing. “This is where I spend half my life, and here,” she gestured at the back of the shop, “is my domain.”

  Liz edged around the crowded tables, impressed that the sports-themed cafe seemed to be thriving. Still, she’d spent a long afternoon on rather treacherous mountain roads connecting her home in Vermont and her daughter’s on the coast of Maine. As much as she wanted to absorb every detail of Kelly’s new life, she needed something warm and caffeinated.

  “This is wonderful,” she agreed with a smile. “Any chance I could get a hot chocolate version of whatever I’m smelling right now? And maybe one of those scones we passed?”

  “Oh, of course! I’ll get you all set up. This is our table,” Kelly gestured to a smallish, elevated table with five empty stools crowded around it. “So, we’ll have Cam and his dad and his uncle - Robby or something - on our team. Cam’s got politics, his dad covers lit, but he won’t talk otherwise, so don’t take it personally. Apparently the uncle likes sports, though I probably won’t need his help,” she rolled her eyes playfully.

  “And what’s my contribution? Music - art?”

  Kelly laughed. “Hardly. We’ll need you for everything math-y and business-related. It’s perfect! We’ll be unstoppable!”

  She left to get her cocoa, Liz hoped, leaving her to settle in at the empty table. She smiled briefly at the friendly, but questioning glances lighting on her from around the room. Her daughter was obviously well-known, and her friends undoubtedly saw the resemblance. It bordered on unnerving, but Kelly and Liz generally got a kick out of people trying to figure out their relationship. Liz liked the sister guess best, though she felt every one of the twenty-one years that separated her from her daughter on this particular night.

  She rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath. She’d met up with Kelly at the B&B and only had time to drop her bags and change her clothes before she was whisked off to Trivia Night at the coffee shop. Kelly’s position as assistant manager had evolved into special events coordinator, and she had to attend. Besides, she’d pointed out, it was a great opportunity to meet and hang out with Cam and his dad, and apparently, his uncle.

  Liz closed her eyes for a moment. Kelly and Cam were engaged. She’d barely had time to absorb the news. So much for her plan to spend Christmas with her daughter and help her see the need to slow things down. Now she was meeting the in-laws-to-be. What kind of family encouraged an engagement after only four months? Her advice remained unchanged: take plenty of time to evaluate, re-evaluate, and likely avoid any kind of commitment altogether. Her marriage had been difficult on the good days. Five years after her divorce, the pain and disappointment still surfaced with alarming regularity.

  Kelly returned with cocoa and scones, a welcome distraction. Liz reached gratefully for the drink, absorbing its warmth and the glorious aroma. “You’re wonderful. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Kelly replied, pulling up a stool. “I’m glad we have a minute to talk before the guys get here. I haven’t met him, so I don’t really know, but Cam says to watch out for his uncle. Apparently he’s a real ladies’ man.”

  She stopped for a moment and regarded her mom, evaluating what kind of temptation Liz might prove to be.

  Liz smiled and watched her daughter’s mind work.

  “Seriously, Cam says he can be pretty persistent, so don’t let him mess with you.”

  Liz rolled her eyes. “What does he do?”

  Kelly sipped her coffee. “He’s a lawyer. Cam really looks up to him. Kind of following in his footsteps, I guess.”

  Liz tucked that little tidbit away for further reflection. “What kind of law?”

  “Not sure. Something corporate. Cam says he’s a really smart guy, just kind of wild in the women department. Never been married.”

  “I see.”

  “Says he flirts with anything in a skirt or spandex.”

  “Guess I’m safe, then.”

  Kelly smiled. “Not necessarily. Just watch him. Apparently, it’s a big deal that he’s coming for the holidays at all, so Cam’s happy, but also concerned. Family dynamics are a little touchy.”

  “Ahhh.”

  “Anyway, just keep it in mind. He’s a very hands-on guy, and it doesn’t take much to encourage him.”

  “Threat registered and understood.”

  Kelly grinned. “It’s just - you’re too nice, and he’ll get the wrong message and be all over you.”

  “And you’re sure you want to marry into this family?”

  “Well, Cam’s not like him - really. Just the lawyer thing. And neither is his dad. I told you that’s how Cam and I met - dad’s a professor at the college - comes in here in the afternoon to grade papers or something."

  “You said literature, right?”

  “Yeah. He’s your typical brooding lit teacher. All the girls love him and everybody fears him.”

  “Sounds like a nice guy.”

  “I don’t know him very well. The only time I’ve really heard him talk is on Trivia Night. Cam drags him here to answer all the book questions, whenever he’s in town to play, which isn’t often.”

  Exactly, Liz thought to herself. So how can you be engaged to him already?

  “Cam’s dad doesn’t talk to you?” She processed another odd family trait. “Even though you’re engaged to his son?”

  “It’s not like he’s not friendly. Well, except that he’s not, really. He just keeps to himself. Says hello and all, but doesn’t really strike up a conversation.”

  “Charming.”

  Kelly laughed again. “He doesn’t look like Cam at all - guess Cam got his blond hair, blue eyes and smile from his mom.” Kelly’s eyes clouded briefly. “It’s sad that I
’ll never meet her.”

  Liz nodded. Kelly had shared that Cam lost his mother when he was in his teens, but she didn’t know the details.

  Kelly’s face brightened as she looked across the store. “Oh, there’s Drew! He’s running Trivia tonight. Be right back.”

  Liz watched as Kelly ran up and threw her arms around her friend. He grinned, gently setting her aside, and they put their heads together, no doubt discussing the evening’s festivities. Liz filed that little moment away with the others, and waited for Trivia, and the introductions, to begin.

  ***

  “Wow, she wasn’t kidding about her mom.”

  Christopher Harrison followed his son’s gaze to the back of the coffee shop. At first glance, it looked like Kelly sitting at the table, sipping her coffee. Although the resemblance was striking, it didn’t take long to see the differences. Though they had the same sleek, dark blonde hair, the mother wore hers shorter - shoulder length - and as they neared he could see that her features were more defined - eyes a little deeper - cheekbones more pronounced. Objectively speaking, Kelly was pretty, but her mom was beautiful.

  “Nice,” Bobby Harrison whistled beside him. “Trivia just became a lot less trivial.”

  Christopher glanced at his brother. “Leave her alone, Bobby.”

  Bobby just smiled and honed in on his victim. Christopher shook his head. He didn’t want to run interference, but he would. Cam had mentioned that Kelly’s mom was no longer married, and he wasn’t about to let something develop between his brother and his son’s mother-in-law. There had to be something wrong with that.

  They neared the table and her eyes widened with a hint of wariness at their approach. She straightened her shoulders and smiled carefully.

  Bobby jumped right in. “Cam, introduce us to this stunning woman.”

  Christopher noted that she didn’t wilt with pleasure at his brother’s flattery. Point for her.

  “I have to meet her myself, Uncle Bobby,” Cameron Harrison replied with a grin. “You must be Kelly’s mom,” he said, extending his hand.

  She smiled genuinely at Cam and took his hand. “And you must be Cam. It’s nice to meet you. Liz Michaels.”

  Cam turned and Christopher locked eyes with Liz for the first time. He vaguely heard his son introduce him and managed to extend his hand and nod. He would have followed up with ‘hello’ if his brother hadn’t descended on the introduction.

  “I’m Bobby, the uncle.” He grasped her hand and attention and held them. “I’m so glad I came to Clairmont for Christmas.” He flashed his jury-spinning smile.

  Her smile, in return, was guarded. Either she was sharp or she’d been warned - maybe both. “It’s nice to meet you,” she replied, glancing back at Christopher.

  Christopher found his voice. “How was your drive?”

  She considered him a moment. “It was okay. Highways were fairly clear, but there were some interesting white-out moments in the mountains.” She smiled slightly. “I’m very happy to be off the road.”

  He nodded, maneuvering in front of his brother to pull out the stool next to Liz. He wasn’t usually so forward, but his brother’s presence seriously complicated this meeting. There were things he needed to say to Kelly’s mom, concerns he needed to express, and he only had a week to do it. It meant moving, no, careening, out of his comfort zone and befriending this woman, while trying to keep his brother at bay. His head ached at the impossibility of it all.

  “Smooth, Chris,” Bobby muttered behind him.

  Christopher almost smiled as he sat down and removed his coat. Liz took her seat and picked up her drink. She didn’t seem shy or uncomfortable, but she did seem to be fairly calculating, taking everything in without the need to chatter.

  “So how do you like the inn?” Cam asked. “I know Kelly wanted you to stay with her, but her roommate’s kind of ...”

  Liz rescued him. “The inn is great. Or I think it is. I didn’t have a lot of time to settle in before coming over here.”

  “Are you at Maplewood? Or the new one by the water?” Bobby asked.

  “By the water - ‘Maddy’s Inn,’ ” Liz replied. “I think a couple of sisters run it? I met one of them briefly. I’m looking forward to checking out the view tomorrow. Couldn’t see much this evening.”

  “I hope they’re not full. I haven’t decided where to stay, yet. Just got in a few hours ago, myself.”

  Christopher sighed. His brother was relentless. “You can stay with me, Bobby. I’ve got plenty of room.”

  “Oh, I know,” Bobby punched his arm on the rough side of playfully. “But you don’t have anything like the view at Maddy’s place.” He grinned at Liz, and Christopher considered kicking his stool out from under him. “Besides, who wants big brother watching? What are you drinking, Liz?”

  She lifted her cup. “You’d have to ask Kelly. Whatever it is, it’s wonderful. Cocoa something ... with cinnamon.” She sipped her drink and glanced toward her daughter, visibly relieved that Kelly was making her way toward them.

  “Hey, everybody! Sorry to miss the introductions.” Kelly slipped her arm around Cam and gave him a side hug. “Hi, Mr. Harrison,” she smiled at Christopher, then turned toward Bobby. “I’m Kelly,” she extended her hand, her eyes reflecting the same guardedness her mother’s had.

  They’d definitely been warned. Good for Cam.

  “Uncle Bobby,” his brother said smoothly, taking her hand. “And you’re almost as pretty as your mom. Nice to meet you, Kelly.”

  “I’d settle for half,” Kelly smiled. “Nice to meet you, too.”

  Christopher was grudgingly impressed by the unaffected moment. Didn’t mean his son should rush and marry into the family. He still had every intention of getting them to slow down, and hoped he could get Ms. Michaels on board. Kelly didn’t seem like the type to be pushing for marriage, but Cam was a handsome kid with a bright future; made him pretty marketable.

  “Hey everybody,” Drew called for attention. “Let’s start some Trivia.”

  ***

  The Trivia game turned out to be a great way to get to know people you weren’t convinced you really wanted to know. Although Liz wasn’t completely sure what to make of Cam’s dad or his uncle, it was nice to be united in the common purpose of humiliating everyone else in the room. Not surprisingly, Christopher’s knowledge of literature was extensive and inarguable. As Kelly predicted, he rarely spoke, but when he did, it was quietly and with authority. They never second-guessed his answers.

  Kelly and Bobby went back and forth with the sports Trivia, and Cam seemed to know his politics and history. Liz didn’t get to show off much of her economics and finance background, but her knowledge of business and politics surfaced enough to silence Bobby’s teasing. By the end of the evening, there was a new level of respect around the table.

  “Well, that was fun,” Bobby said as tables started to clear around them. “I’ll take Liz back to the B&B. That way I can check in, too.”

  Liz was too dumbfounded to respond. Cam’s dad’s unmasked irritation helped her refocus, and she said, “I’m all set, thanks. Kelly?”

  “Right, I just have to help Drew clean up. It won’t take too, too long,” Kelly added apologetically.

  Liz smiled bravely. It had been a long day with a lot of input. She wanted to climb into that big poster bed at the inn and sleep off her drive.

  “I’ll give you a ride.”

  Everyone looked at Christopher with surprise.

  “No way, Chris, this is my territory,” Bobby said, throwing his shoulders back ever so subtly.

  Christopher eased equally impressive shoulders into his leather jacket. “It’s too late for you to check in, and you were planning to hang out here and watch the game with Cam.” He barely spared a glance for his brother as he pulled on his gloves. “I’d be happy to drop you off, Ms. Michaels.”

  Liz considered his offer. It might be her only chance to talk to him a
lone. “I’d appreciate that. Thanks.” She ignored Bobby’s playful sputtering and leaned over to hug Kelly. “I’ll see you in the morning, Hon.”

  “I’ll be there around nine, if that’s okay. Still up for cross-country skiing?”

  Liz smiled. Nine would be no problem. Most of her classes started at eight and she was usually in her office well beforehand. She was looking forward to this winter break, getting to do something besides pacing the front of a college classroom. “Absolutely. I’ll be ready.”

  “Well, you win this round, big brother,” Bobby slapped Christopher on the back and Liz tried not to roll her eyes.

  Christopher was unmoved. “I’ll see you back at the house.”

  ***

  “I really appreciate the ride.”

  Liz leaned her head back against the seat, and Christopher had the sense that her guard was finally coming down. For some reason, that pleased him.

  “No problem.” He shifted into second and considered the road ahead. It would be a slow trip home with the evening’s snow. “I’m sorry about my brother.”

  Liz shrugged. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Yeah, well, I wish he’d back off. I don’t know what kind of women fall for that stuff, or why he’s interested when they do.”

  “Some women probably enjoy the attention,” she replied. Christopher grunted, and Liz laughed. “It’s been a while since someone was so determined. It was flattering in its own perverse way.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “That I’m flattered?” she shook her head. “Yeah, so do I.”

  “No, I mean that it’s been a while ... never mind.” He was no good at this kind of conversation.

  She smiled as she looked out her window. “Thanks.”

  Christopher’s grip on the wheel relaxed. “I wanted to talk to you about the kids. I know we just met, but our time together is limited, and, well, I’m concerned.”